Marvin Gaye released this song on May 21, 1971 and those lyrics that were written 46 years, 4 months, and 28 days ago still ring true.

Some of the same issues and problems from 46 years ago have been solved, but others have continued to linger on. Maybe they aren't as prominent within the media today as they used to be, but in any case they are still present.

The fact is: we live in a broken world

Since the day you were born, catastrophic events have occurred. Lives are being lost to violence every single day. We see this with the simple click of the power button on the t.v. remote. A man murders close to 60 people, terrorists fly into the World Trade Center, innocent people lose their lives. I'm sure there are many other occurrences of violence that are running through your head as you read this.

The fact is: we live in a broken world

Unless Jesus is making his big returning debut, it would be foolish of us to think that one morning we will all wake up and the terrible, evil things of this world will vanish.

Since moving into my new home, I've noticed that my neighbors on either side of me live alone. One is an older man and the other is a middle aged woman. I've contemplated many times whether or not I should introduce myself and offer to help them with anything I can. Maybe take care of their yard work or simply let them know to never hesitate to ask if they need help with anything.

A few days ago the older man came over and introduced himself, and then yesterday I introduced myself to the woman. I've been living here since February. What took me so long to say hello to my neighbors?!?!?!?!?

The fact is: we live in a broken world

I was too concerned about my neighbors rejecting my help or being offended by my offer, that I avoided the situation all together. But, how selfish of me to let my pride get in the way of allowing God to use me to potentially bless those around me. We are called to serve, and not only when it is to our benefit.

So, what's my solution?

Jesus.

Whether you have a faith or not, it's hard to believe that we were placed on this Earth for no other purpose than to be born, live and then be buried. None of us that walk this Earth are 100% identical. Therefore, God intentionally created only one of you for a specific reason.

Whether you have a faith or not, it is hard to read about who Jesus was and what he did, and not want to be more like him. He was a man who sat with the sick, the poor and helped those individuals that everyone else ran away from. We embrace the “golden rule” of treating others how we would like to be treated, because of Jesus’ teaching. The idea of a “good samaritan” is dominant in our culture because of the teachings of Jesus about kindness, and selflessness.

Whether you have a faith or not, two things are clear: we naturally desire what Jesus stood for and taught, and it is also clear that something has gone seriously wrong.

So, what’s the solution?

Jesus.

The reason that we cling to love and despise evil is because we have been made with a deep hunger for the lovely, and we have also been made to withdraw from those things that are evil. When we see people killed, we know that it is an act of sheer evil that has done this; when we see a mutually serving and respectful relationship we know that this is the definition of love.

So how can we just know these things? We know this because they exist outside of ourselves, and they do not depend on a certain group of people, or time period for their acceptance. We know that the events in Las Vegas and the 9/11 attacks were evil, because we judge this on an objective scale that is evident outside ourselves, that we cannot break away from. This means only one thing, that things are objectively evil, because God has determined that they are evil, and things are objectively good because he has determined that as well.

History proves that no matter the bans, or new laws put in place these will never restrain evil. Evil men will always find ways to do more evil. New laws and restrictions only regulate those that abide within the law. So then how is Jesus the solution? It is precisely because of the promises of the Gospel that we can look into the world and know that regardless of what happens, we have a better hope, a more sure salvation from all the evil in the world. Jesus makes the most freeing claim in John 16:33. He said, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Every day I struggle with understanding why certain things happen in this world. How can a God who is all powerful and all knowing allow these terrible events to occur?

The fact is: we live in a broken world

What is the solution?

Jesus.

Instead of running away from God, run to towards him. Run to him with your confusion. Run to him with your anger. Run to him with your questions. There is nothing he hasn’t heard before and doesn’t already know.

I promise you that the answers you find from him will be much more comforting than the answers you will find from this world.